Nine-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Anderson .Paak has released a new single, “Keychain,” featuring South Korean girl group aespa. The track is available on all streaming platforms beginning Friday and marks the first release from a larger film-inspired music project.
“Keychain” draws inspiration from .Paak’s directorial debut, K-POPS!, which is now showing exclusively in AMC Theatres nationwide. The song blends .Paak’s signature hip-hop, R&B, and funk influences with aespa’s K-pop style, reflecting the cross-cultural themes explored in the film.
For .Paak, who is Korean and African-American, the fusion feels natural. “We come from different worlds, but we’re connected by the same passion for music,” he said, describing the collaboration.
K-POPS! centers on a Seoul-based K-pop competition show and explores generational connection and cultural exchange through music. The story follows a father and son whose paths collide in unexpected ways. The energy of the film carries through “Keychain,” highlighting the meeting of musical and cultural worlds.
Aespa also shared their enthusiasm for the project, saying, “Working on ‘Keychain’ with Anderson .Paak was such a fun and inspiring experience for us. We loved being part of a project that looks at K-pop from a fresh perspective, and we’re grateful to contribute our voices.”
“Keychain” is now streaming globally, and K-POPS! is playing in AMC Theatres nationwide.
